Do your eyes tend to feel dry? Are you thinking about getting LASIK eye surgery?
One of the most common side effects after having LASIK is dry eye. If you have dry eyes before LASIK, it can make the recovery after more uncomfortable.
If you have a severe case of dry eye, you may need to wait for it to improve before you can get LASIK. It’s important to understand dry eye and possible solutions for it before you have LASIK.
Thinking about LASIK and concerned you may have dry eyes? Keep reading to learn if drinking more water helps before getting LASIK!
What is Dry Eye?
If your eyes are constantly irritated or feel dry, these are common symptoms of dry eye syndrome. People with dry eyes describe it as having a stinging or burning feeling in their eyes.
There are many things that can cause dry eye syndrome. The most common reason is your tear production. Either your tears are low-quality or your eyes are not producing enough tears.
Dry eyes can also occur because of health problems, environmental conditions, or surgery. Living in a hot, dry place can make your eyes drier.
The same can be true if you spend a lot of time flying on planes as well. You can even end up with dry eyes if you spend too much time looking at screens or digital devices!
What Are the Symptoms Associated with Dry Eye?
There are many symptoms patients with dry eyes can experience. Common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Redness
- A foreign body sensation like something is in your eye
- Blurry vision
- Gritty sensation
- Itchy eyes
- Light sensitivity
Although it seems counter-productive, dry eye can also cause you to over-produce tears. The eyes create tears to keep your eyes moist and lubricated.
When your body thinks your eyes are dry, it will tell your brain to increase tear production. When tears are overproduced, they are mostly made from water.
Healthy tears have three components: water, oil, and mucin. Tears that do not have all three components are not healthy. Tears mostly made from water do not cover the surface of the eye.
What Are the Causes of Dry Eyes?
There are many reasons patients develop dry eyes. It could be due to a health condition impacting your tear production system.
The chemistry of your tears, medical conditions, medications, or environmental conditions can cause you to develop dry eyes.
LASIK eye surgery can cause you to develop dry eye, at least temporarily. It is a temporary side effect from the procedure, but it can be worse if you have dry eyes before undergoing LASIK.
Does Drinking More Water Help Before Getting LASIK?
Yes! Like the rest of your body, your eyes need water to be healthy. Water helps keep your eyes stay hydrated.
It is recommended that you drink 8-10 glasses of water per day, to keep your body healthy. Avoid drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages because they actually dehydrate you!
If you do not like water, try eating foods that contain water instead. Add foods like cucumber, watermelon, strawberries, cauliflower, celery, and tomatoes to your diet. This will help you increase the amount of water you consume without having to drink it.
Being hydrated before LASIK will help prevent symptoms of dry eye from becoming more severe. This will make your recovery more comfortable.
Do you want to learn more about LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Metro Eye Care in Paramus, NJ! Get ready to significantly improve your life!
